The best powder foundation for dry skin can do wonders for your skin by helping maintain your skin’s natural glow without drying out your skin. Since these are powders, they are easy to carry and apply anywhere. Just a little dab and your imperfections would be hard to find!
Simone de Vlaming, a beauty expert and founder of Beautymone, says, “If you have dry skin, you may often be told not to use powder products. In some ways, this is true, but only if you’re using the wrong powder products. You will actually find quite a few powder foundations that work well for dry skin.”
So in case you are planning to get your hands on one, read through our list to find the one that would suit your skin tone and other requirements the best.
Top Picks
13 Best Powder Foundations For Dry Skin
1. Best All-Natural Ingredients: Jane Iredale Pure Pressed Mineral Based Powder
Image: Janeiredale
Infused with the goodness of pine bark and pomegranate extract, this foundation powder is full of natural ingredients. Its oil-free formula helps achieve a matte look, which is what most of the 4,000+ reviews on Amazon have raved about too. It glides smoothly over the skin to hide minor imperfections. This vegan powder is water-resistant and free of harmful chemicals. It also contains SPF, which protects the skin from sun damage. But remember to wear your hydrating face primer before applying this pressed powder for the best results. Check out this video that has detailed information about the foundation.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Offers a semi-matte finish
- Ideal for teenagers as well
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- May transfer to your clothes
- May not hide wrinkles
2. Best Sheer: Glo Skin Beauty Loose Base
Image: Gloskin
Suitable for dry and combination skin, the powder foundation has a sheer finish that can give you a radiant and smooth glow. It offers buildable coverage and gives your skin a dewy effect that lasts long. This rich, pigmented mineral powder is infused with green tea and helps brighten your skin tone quickly, making it suitable for daily makeup applications and on-the-go touch-ups.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Talc- and paraben-free
- Includes vitamins A, C, and E
- Cruelty-free
- Helps protect the skin from environmental stress
Cons
- Shade may be lighter than expected
- May require frequent reapplication
3. Best Multicolored Formula: Physicians Formula Multi-Colored Pressed Powder
Image: Physicians Formula
If you usually find it difficult to get the right color from a foundation, this multi-colored pressed powder might just do the trick. This oil-free, hypoallergenic pressed powder runs smoothly over the skin and helps achieve an even tone. The blend of various colors in the compact case can give you a natural look. You can use this powder after applying your regular moisturizer to get a more dewy and glowing finish. It has over 5,000 reviews on Amazon, most of which praise the product for its natural-looking effects. Have a look at this video for an unbiased review of the powder foundation for dry skin.
Pros
- Dermatologist tested
- Cruelty-free
- Evens the tone
- Hides blemishes
Cons
- Color may be different than expected
- May not suit pale skin
- Has talc as the top ingredient
4. Best For Flawless Skin: L’Oréal Paris True Match Mineral Loose Powder Foundation
Image: Loreal Paris
L’Oréal’s True Match range of foundation is really popular with the brand loyalist. This powder foundation by L’Oréal can cover skin flaws and make you look radiant for up to 16 hours. It contains SPF 19, which protects the skin from sun damage. Its mixable formula gives you sheer to medium coverage. It glides over skin and helps hide skin pores to give you a natural look. It is free of fragrance and preservatives and is also suitable for sensitive skin.
Pros
- Offers a natural finish
- Hides dark spots and pigmentation
- Travel-friendly design
- Delivers an even tone
Cons
- Brush may shed hair
- May not be suitable for dry skin
5. Best Hydration: Pur 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup
Image: Pur
Now here is a foundation powder that can give dry skin a hydrated look. Fortified with vegan ingredients, such as shea butter, vitamin E, and B3, this powder helps soothe skin. The buildable formula allows you to create the coverage you desire. It can blur out fine lines and dark spots. It works like a foundation, concealer, finishing powder, and sunscreen. The SPF 15 present in the formula helps protect skin from harsh sun rays. It does not contain BPA or gluten.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Vegan formulation
- Cruelty-free
- Offers medium coverage
- Flawless finish
Cons
- May not suit sensitive skin
- May not work effectively for aging skin
6. Best Hypoallergenic: Physicians Formula CoverToxTen Wrinkle Therapy Face Powder
Image: Physiciansformula
This Physicians Formula Face Powder is for those looking to conceal signs of aging. The hypoallergenic and fragrance-free powder is formulated especially for sensitive skin. It not only hides fine lines and wrinkles but also works to improve skin with its time-release ingredients, GABA and BV-OSC. It can be worn to set your makeup or even on bare skin.
Pros
- Offers great coverage
- Has a tiny brush and mirror
- Irritation-free
- Shines and lasts long
- Suitable for breakout-prone skin
Cons
- May get a little cakey
- Limited shades
7. Best Vitamin-Infused: Flori Roberts Cream To Powder
Image: Floriroberts
In our era of high-definition, even the smallest of pores are visible in pictures. But this powder can blur out even the slightest of flaws and offers light to full coverage. Its hydrating formula contains vitamin A, and E, along with soya bean oil. It can help replenish dry skin and make it soft and smooth. Its ingredients also help reduce signs of aging while giving you firm and radiant skin.
Pros
- Offers matte finish
- Provides coverage in a single application
- Covers rough and damaged skin
- Glides smoothly
Cons
- May experience difference in shade
- May not be suitable for deeper skin tones
8. Best For Any Skin Tone: Demure Mineral Foundation Powder
Demure offers a powder foundation for every skin tone. Formulated with minerals, this foundation powder offers sheer to full coverage. Its highly pigmented formula is also suitable for mature skin. It is free of additives, fragrances, and fillers. It is resistant to water, is easy to apply, and helps the skin look radiant.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Open and close lid lock
- Offers sun protection
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- May start to clump together in humid conditions
- May have a thick powdery texture
9. Best Texture: Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Loose Powder
Image: Neutrogena
Infused with vitamins A, C, and E, this powder foundation hides skin flaws and enhances your skin’s texture. It is made from naturally derived minerals that give you sheer to medium coverage. It helps hide minor skin imperfections and is suitable for sensitive skin too.
Pros
- Breathable
- Talc- and dye-free
- Fragrance-free formula
- Works effectively for oily skin
Cons
- Pores may appear large
- May not last all day
10. Best Non-Comedogenic: True + Luscious Velvet Matte Face Powder Compact
Image: Trueluscious
If acne bothers you, then you might want to have a look at this powder. It is enriched with vitamins and minerals that can calm and soothe the skin. Its non-comedogenic formula is suitable for acne-prone skin. This triple-milled powder is lightweight and offers a matte finish to give you a natural look. Its vegan formula is free of parabens, talc, fragrance, and other harmful chemicals.
Pros
- Works as a setting powder
- Cruelty-free
- Absorbs excess oils
- Sweat-free
Cons
- May not work effectively for wrinkles
- May feel cakey around the nose
11. Best Easy-To-Blend: BareMinerals Original Foundation
Image: Bareminerals
Made of clean mineral pigments, this powder foundation gives you buildable coverage and a silky finish. It makes the skin look instantly radiant and healthy. It contains mineral sunscreen that is free of chemicals and protects your skin from sun damage. It is free of parabens, talc, phthalates, fragrance, and preservatives.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Very natural-looking finish
- Has SPF 15
- Available in different sizes
- Available in several shades
- Free of chemicals
Cons
- May take time to blend
12. Best For Darker Tones: Black Radiance True Complexion Hydrating Powder Foundation
Known for its silky smooth foundation, Black Radiance specializes in dark shades. This powder foundation can give dry skin a hydrating boost. It embraces the skin smoothly and helps it look bright and flawless. Its lightweight formula gives an even tone to the skin and helps your face look fresh. Since the formula is buildable, you can decide the coverage you require.
Pros
- Offers luminous finish
- Available in three shades
- Can camouflage uneven tones
- Works as a finishing powder
Cons
- May be prone to crumbling
13. Best Skin Perfector: Lorac Porefection Baked Perfecting Powder
Looking for silky smooth perfection? Then have a look at this perfecting powder. It is fortified with salicylic acid that helps skin look clear and radiant. Salicylic acid also helps tackle acne. The antioxidants present in the powder can make the skin appear fresh and youthful. Its poreless technology helps conceal skin imperfections.
Pros
- Full coverage
- Breathable
- Makeup doesn’t shift even when the skin produces oil
- Suitable for oily and acne-prone skin as well
Cons
- May contain mica
- Contains talc
How To Apply Powder Foundation?
Here are the two ways you can apply powder foundation.
- Beauty sponge: One way to apply foundation is with the beauty sponge or a beauty blender. Powder foundations mostly come with their customized beauty sponges in the compact case itself. You can also use your damp beauty blender to apply the powder foundation. Just press the sponge to the powder, collect the required product, and apply directly to the face.
- Powder brush: The type of brush you use to apply foundation depends on the coverage you are seeking. If you are looking for full coverage, opt for a thick foundation brush or a rounded kabuki brush. If you want less coverage, go for a slimmer brush with fewer bristles.
How To Choose The Right Texture?
The texture of the foundation you choose should depend on your skin type. It could usually be powder, cream, or liquid. Within powder foundation, there are two options: pressed powder and mineral powder.
Pressed powder is usually the best option for touch-ups. But when used without a moisturizer on your skin, it can be quiet drying as it is meant to absorb excess oil. Mineral powder foundation or loose powder is extremely light on the skin and does not clog pores. However, it also tends to absorb excess oil.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is a makeup and fashion enthusiast. She does detailed research and product review studies before documenting some of the best available makeup products in the market. She brings you this list of the best powder foundations for dry skin types after reviewing several features and the effectiveness of the products. Furthermore, Poulami guides you through a quick tutorial on applying the powder and useful tips to help you choose the most suitable powder foundation for your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is pressed powder the same as powder foundation?
Pressed powder is used to set your foundation in place and offers little to no coverage, while powder foundation is a combination of foundation and powder, which offers good coverage, absorbs excess oil, and does not need any powder to set it in place.
2. At what age should I start using a powder foundation?
It is best to start using makeup in your 20s as the skin may be too sensitive during adolescent years. It also depends on your skin’s requirements and your own desire. In this case, if you have dry skin and still want to add a matte finish to your base, powder foundation would be an ideal choice.
3. How do I make my powder foundation last all day?
Prepping your skin before applying powder foundation is necessary. Applying moisturizer and primer before applying powder foundation makes it last all day.
4. How often should I change my powder foundation?
You should replace your powder foundation every two years. Just make sure that you take proper care of the product, for example, by cleaning the excess or spilled product from the packaging and closing them tightly after every use.
5. Can I use powder foundation under my eyes?
Yes, you can use powder foundation under your eyes. However, if your dark circles are too prominent, it might not give you the best coverage you require.
Choosing the best powder foundation can work wonders for your skin by absorbing the excess oil, giving it a glow, and taking you one step closer to achieving the perfect makeup look. This article lists some of the best powder foundations for dry skin, which have been shortlisted after thorough research. So pick one that will compliment your skin tone without worrying about flaky, dry skin. Also, do a patch test to ensure the foundation goes well with your skin and does not cause allergic reactions.
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